Gordon to have surgery, out until April
Eric Gordon, SG, NO
2/13/2012
News: The Hornets announced on Monday that G
Eric Gordon will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday. He is expected to return to play in six weeks. "Surgery is in the best interest of Eric," general manger Dell Demps said. "We had hoped with rest and rehab, Eric's knee would have healed." Gordon has played in just two games this season due to the injury.
Analysis: Gordon, who was the key piece in the Chris Paul deal, scored a combined 42 points in the two games he has played but this announcement means that he will not return to the court anytime soon, if at all this season. The 23-year-old was expected to return later this month but much to the chagrin of Fantasy owners, they will have to continue to wait for his services. Keep Gordon stashed away in Fantasy, but owners in larger formats could not be blamed for cutting ties with him.
Nothing structurally wrong with Rose
Derrick Rose, PG, CHI
2/13/2012
News: Bulls PG
Derrick Rose visited a back specialist on Monday and the doctor confirmed the original diagnosis, reports the
Chicago Tribune. Rose is dealing with lower back spasms and nothing greater. There is nothing structurally wrong with his back. Rose is considered day to day going forward for the Bulls but the team's official site suggests he's not going to be able to return Tuesday against the Kings.
Analysis: Rose has already missed consecutive games and Tuesday's contest against the Kings is also greatly in doubt at this point. It is definitely good news that Rose doesn't have anything worse wrong with him, but this has already been nagging and annoying enough to bother both the guard and his Fantasy owners. Rose has already missed seven games this season with an eighth a real possibility. Still, you know he'll play if it is humanly possible and that counts for something. Rose remains a must-start Fantasy option and he shouldn't miss too much more time following his visit to the doctor.
Randolph cleared for non-contact drills
Zach Randolph, PF, MEM
2/13/2012
News: Grizzlies F
Zach Randolph (knee) has been cleared to participate in non-contact basketball drills, reports the
Memphis Commercial-Appeal. Randolph, who tore his MCL back in January, is expected to return sometime in March. He is expected to be cleared for full-contact drills sometime over the next two weeks.
Analysis: Randolph continues to make significant progress from his knee injury and is on schedule to return in March, barring any setbacks. Obviously, Fantasy owners should keep a close eye on his progress moving forward to see when he will be able to get back on the court. Randolph can be considered a high-end Fantasy F, when healthy, so continue to stash him moving forward.
Irving possible for Wednesday
Kyrie Irving, PG, CLE
2/13/2012
News: Cleveland G
Kyrie Irving (concussion) participated in all non-contract drills during Monday's practice, but has yet to be cleared to return to game action, according to the
Akron Beacon Journal. Irving has missed the past two games after being diagnosed with a concussion last Wednesday. With the Cavaliers' next game on Wednesday, he could be cleared for the outing with a positive showing in Tuesday's practice. "To me, he seems normal," Cleveland F
Antawn Jamison said. "He's not going to be on the court unless he is 100 percent."
Analysis: Irving has now completed two straight days of light workouts as he continues to nurse his head injury. It appears he could be poised for a return on Wednesday, the first of only three games for Cleveland during Fantasy Week 8 (Feb. 13-19). Irving leads all rookies with 18.0 points per game this season and is also averaging 5.1 assists through 23 games. With his status still uncertain, he is a risky Fantasy option this scoring period.
News: Warriors G
Stephen Curry may have tweaked his ankle during Monday night's contest against the Suns. Curry appeared to land awkwardly on his left ankle in the third quarter in the 102-96 win and looked to be favoring it as he went to the bench. However, Curry never went to the locker room and was back on the court for the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. He finished with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists in the victory, while logging 32 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Curry appears to have survived the injury scare, although with his history of ankle trouble, this is something Fantasy owners should keep an eye on over the next few days. He has already admitted that his ankle still isn't quite 100 percent, but hasn't has much trouble producing lately. As long as he is able to stay on the court, Curry can be considered a high-end Fantasy option.
Nowitzki looking like his old self
Dirk Nowitzki, PF, DAL
2/13/2012
News: Mavericks F
Dirk Nowitzki turned in his sixth straight performance with 20-plus points on Monday night against the Clippers. He led Dallas with 22 points and hauled in seven rebounds in the 96-92 win. He went just 5 for 15 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc, but made 11 of 15 free throws. Nowitzki also chipped in with two assists and two steals while playing 32 minutes.
Analysis: Nowitzki has looked like his old self since returning from his team-imposed break and is regaining value in Fantasy. He is averaging 24.8 points with 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in his last five contests, and is shooting 48 percent over that span. He is slowing inching his way back to averaging 20 points on the year, and is also bringing his rebounding back to his career average. Owners that had been sour on the 33-year-old should get him active again as Nowitzki could just be heating up.
News: Suns F
Channing Frye continued his recent scoring binge on Monday against the Warriors. He finished with 18 points and five rebounds in the 102-96 loss. He went 7 for 17 from the floor, including 1 for 8 from downtown, and converted all three of his free throws. Frye, who played 32 minutes, also chipped in with four assists, a steal and a block in the defeat.
Analysis: Frye scored in double figures for the fifth straight game on Monday and is starting to regain his scoring stroke. He is averaging 17.8 points with 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in those contests, and is shooting 47 percent over that span. He has shown over the past two seasons that he can score in double digits on a nightly basis so keep an eye on his progress going forward. But as long as he can keep up this pace, owners should consider getting Frye active again in larger formats.
News: Warriors F
Dominic McGuire was able to get back on the court during Monday night's contest against the Suns. McGuire logged just three seconds in the 102-96 victory, which came right before halftime. It was the only time he saw on the court.
Analysis: McGurie is healthy enough to play, but coach Mark Jackson kept him sidelined for most of the contest due to matchups. The 26-year-old normally only gets on the court for his defense anyway, so leave him on the waiver wire at this point in the season.
News: Suns F
Markieff Morris was able to score in double figures for the second straight contest on Monday night against the Warriors. He finished with 10 points and four rebounds in the 102-96 loss. He went 4 for 11 from the field, including 1 for 4 from downtown, and made 1 of 2 free throws. Morris also chipped in with an assist and a block while playing 21 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Morris has been up-and-down during his rookie campaign but he is starting to see some more run of late, and is responding with increased production. He is averaging 7.8 points with 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his last five contests, and is shooting 42 percent over that span. While he continues to come off the bench, the 22-year-old has been playing with the starters late in games and still has some solid upside in Fantasy. Keep an eye on his progress and consider Morris as more of a low-end Fantasy option at this point.
Gortat notches season high, double-double
Marcin Gortat, PF, PHO
12:57 AM
News: Suns C
Marcin Gortat was able to record his first double-double since Feb. 4 on Monday night against the Warriors. He scored a season-high 25 points and hauled in 12 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, in the 102-96 loss. He went 11 for 17 from the floor and made 3 of 6 free throws while playing 37 minutes. Gortat also chipped in with two blocked shots in the defeat.
Analysis: Gortat is having a career campaign in his first full season with the Suns as he has been the perfect compliment for Steve Nash and the pick-and-roll offense. He is averaging 17 points with 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his last five contests, and is shooting 58 percent over that span. There are few players that can average a double-double on a nightly basis like the 27-year-old does so continue to roll with Gortat as a must-start Fantasy C in all formats.
